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Best beaches for surfers

Some people go to the beach to relax, others to swim or snorkel, and yet others to surf. If your idea of a dream beach involves a surfboard and some big waves, these beautiful beaches around the globe deserve a spot on your bucket list.

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Best beaches for surfers

Some people go to the beach to relax, others to swim or snorkel, and yet others to surf. If your idea of a dream beach involves a surfboard and some big waves, these beautiful beaches around the globe deserve a spot on your bucket list. marvinh, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Every surfer on the planet has likely heard of Pipeline, just off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. This legendary reef break is accessible via Banzai Beach in Ehukai Beach Park. Even if you're not yet ready to join the pros out in the water, it's a fantastic place to watch experienced surfers. Ana Phelps, Getty Images/iStockphoto

For wintertime surfing, it doesn't get much better than Bondi Beach just 20 minutes outside of Sydney. This iconic Aussie surf spot has all the makings for an ideal beach: golden sand, plenty of sunshine and a variety of waves for both beginners and experts. danbreckwoldt, Getty Images/iStockphoto

You'll want a wetsuit to surf the U.K.'s Fistral Beach as the water's notoriously chilly, but consistent waves offering both left and right rides, paired with a slew of international surfing events, make this one of the best surfing beaches in Britain. Matt Cardy, Getty Images

Surfers from around the globe come to Bali to surf the mythical waves of Uluwatu, set beneath a towering temple-topped cliff. For beginners, nearby Kuta is a lively and friendly place filled with surf instructors ready to help you stand for the first time. Elena Petrova Getty Images/iStockphoto

Huntington Beach, Calif., aka Surf City, USA, is often described as having the perfect break, and there are almost always surfers catching waves just off the pier. For a little history lesson before you hit the water, swing by the International Surfing Museum, also in Huntington Beach. Brent Reeves, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Surfers in the San Diego area will find some of the city's best waves just south of Torrey Pines State Beach on an isolated stretch of sand known as Black's Beach. While its secondary reputation is as the San Diego area's nude beach, its winter swells make it worth the trek for any experienced surfer. Sevki C. Duzyol, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Consistent swells from the North Atlantic have been attracting surfers to Biarritz, France since the 1950s. If you find yourself bored with the breaks there, simply head north along the coast and you'll pass numerous other small surfing communities. amandine45, Getty Images/iStockphoto

The combination of beach and reef breaks just off Bundoran Beach in Ireland ensure there's someone surfing there, even in the dead of winter. The surfing capital of Ireland has a handful of surf schools as well, so beginners can get their feet wet with expert instruction. arkanex, Getty Images/iStockphoto

To the north and south of Cape Byron in New South Wales, Australia, surfers of all ability levels will find miles of sand with excellent right hand breaks and a thriving surf culture in the town of Byron Bay. Andras Deak Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arguably Europe's best surfing can be found on Lanzarote Island -- part of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Mile-long Famara Beach is where most of the action takes place, and waves and weather are at their best during the winter months. SveinOttoJacobesen, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Surfers looking for the ultimate right-hand ride dream of hitting Supertubes off the beach at Jeffrey's Bay, or J Bay, in South Africa. In July, the Billabong Surfing Festival brings in the best surfers in the world. Flickr/Rian (Ree) Saunders

While J Bay is South Africa's most famous surfer beach, the sport got its start in the country at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town. While experts may get bored with the relatively tame waves here, it's one of the best beaches in the world for novice surfers to learn. MDBrockmann, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Florida, with more than 1,000 miles of surfable coastline, has plenty of breaks, but some of the most consistent can be found at New Smyrna Beach -- an hour's drive from Orlando. The beach here is wide and flat, so there's plenty of space to spread out and relax after catching a few waves. Jupiterimages, Getty Images

Year-round swells and plentiful SoCal sunshine make San Clemente Beach a popular destination for California surfers. Several pros and a few prominent surfing magazines have taken up residence here. Kevin Panizza

Santa Cruz, nicknamed Surf City, enjoys a dozen beaches with waves for surfers of every level. The area's main claim to surfing fame is the big wave known as Mavericks just off the coast of Half Moon Bay, about an hour north of Santa Cruz. Flickr/Wonderlane

If you want to combine your surfing vacation with a streak of the exotic, bring your board to Taghazout Beach in Southern Morocco. This tiny surfing community has it all: surf schools, surfing/yoga retreats, beachside accommodations, and it's about the only place in the world where you might actually see someone riding a camel, surfboard in tow, down to the water's edge. Flickr/Heather Cowper

While relatively small, Tamarindo Beach in Costa Rica manages to produce ideal waves for beginners and experienced surfers alike. When you're not on the water, it's also a great spot for exploring Costa Rica's plentiful natural attractions. Flickr/Mike Vondran

It's hard to beat Waikiki Beach as an all-around excellent surf spot. Waves and weather conditions are great year-round, surfers of every level will find a challenging wave to ride and the local community is steeped in surfing culture and history. Flickr/Anne Hornyak